Grant Hegrane's Very Rare and Unique FJ43

Here are the pics
of a four
wheel disc brake conversion on Grant Hegranes, (Grant, let me know if I spelled
that correctly), FJ43. That's right folks, an FJ43. See how many funky things you can notice about the truck and
keep in mind its a '77 model. The bottom row of pictures were supplied by
Grant and show the cruiser in its original stomping grounds in Saudi Arabia and
just after completion of his import D.O.T. requirements.

I need to thank
Grant for his patience. I have been waiting on a digital camera for almost
a month now and he has been very gracious. Grant asked me to snap the
process of the conversion and put his pics up but I couldn't do it without the
camera. Any way, its here and its on.

We started
with the rear axle. We removed the old drums and c clips to remove the
axle shafts. Next came mounting the brackets. I spin the kit bracket
one hole so that the bleeder hole is at the very top of the setup and so that
the caliper bolts are not in line with the spring packs. Notice the Calvin
Klein work shorts. (Its hot here in Arkansas)

Stainless
steel lines add a nice touch. Next we close the rear differential up after
greasing the rear axle bearings and seals and assembling the diff internals
throw in a new cork gasket and stir. The calipers go on at this time and
the rear kit is installed. Notice the factory sway bar and the size of the
spring packs.

I more
often that not choose to use later model master cylinders. The ones
I use are designed for four wheel disc brakes and usually eliminate
proportioning problems. After bench bleeding and installing the MC
the rear line needed to be cut and flared.

Notice the
size of the factory front drum equipment. Then check out the pic with the
spindle. What's odd about this series of pictures?

We
removed the knuckles and cleaned a set of disc brake knuckles. We put in
new knuckle bearings and felt kit and then reinstalled the knuckle
assembly.

We cleaned
up a set of hubs and dust shields and painted everything gloss black. The
rotor hub received new bearings, inner and outer, a wiring brushing and a fresh
coat of paint. I tapped all the holes to install the locking hub.

Next
came new calipers and new steel drop lines. We then bled the system and
checked for leaks

Since the
light systems on the two models of MC's use different methods of
indication, I tied the caps level indicator into the cruiser's harness so
that if the level falls to low the light on the dash will still come
on.

Tires,
Lug nuts, Test Drive, and THE
BILL.

Here is Grant
loading up his baby. Thanks again Grant for letting me work on your truck.